What is new this season?
With fresh rules incoming after a thrilling 2025 Formula 1 season, attention quickly turns to the new season and changes which could shake-up the pecking order.
New engine and chassis regulations in 2026 mean the teams – including F1’s new outfit, Cadillac – will undergo three different pre-season tests, one in Barcelona and two in Bahrain.
Then, the season gets underway with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, the sport’s traditional curtain-raiser.
The 2026 campaign will again be a 24-race season, with a street race in Madrid in September the only new event on the schedule.
Mike Jones4 March 2026 09:23
Good morning!
Welcome to The Independent’s coverage of the new Formula 1 season.
We’ll have all the latest news and updates throughout the day as we look ahead to the weekend and the opening race of the 2026 campaign in Melbourne.
With new cars, new rules and new teams, this year looks set to be bigger and better than ever before so there’s plenty for us to get stuck into.
Mike Jones4 March 2026 09:10
